Rip's Picks for Saturday, June 25

1 - Tough to bet against SAME OLD STORY in debut after filly turned in a best-of-84 workout and gets Bravo to ride. IDLE DICE also comes off nifty workout ... and it was in the mud which may be the case today. KNIGHT TRIPP may be best of rest.

2 - ARCHUCK can reverse finish with ISHIKAWA if he can get away cleanly from gate. LAST STAR cuts back from mile to 6 furlongs with early foot.

3 - MY ITALIAN EX dips into claimer after pressing pace for smart barn against winner who got strong tote action. RAVEN TRAIN also sinks into claimer and looms quickest out of the gate after setting fast fractions in Tampa on both turf and dirt. DECCAN ODYSSEY has most experience in field and doesn't drop in class any more.

4 - CHASING THE MONEY, on the board in six straight races, only goes if race exits turf course and then becomes one to beat. EXTRAEXTRAORDINARY had to be steadied when lowered to this level at Gulfstream. One of two uncoupled Plesa entries in here with equally as dangerous beaten-favorite PLUM CREEK.

5 - CHAIRMAN NOW adds blinkers and draws rail after failing to keep up with fast fractions. Bred for off-track and distance. LUVYOUTTOTHEMOON can be left off tickets if track is wet. Trainer posting sharp stats. SOUTHERN RIDGE needed last. Working smartly.

6 - PUZZLING (BEST BET), bred for off-track, fired a best-of-84 drill for this after running good second in first try at Monmouth finishing ahead of DIXIE DEAR. DATE TO REMEMBER, a $450,000 purchase, stretches back out with Bravo and pedigree to do just that.

8 - ALMOST GRECIAN plunges into claimer for first time with pedigree for off-track. Price play. LADY KAFCA will try to wire this group despite outside post. STARK'S SMARTY has been in the money in last five outings. Gets the trip from Post 1.

9 - AMAZING ships in from Calder for Wolfson (20% winners) after faltering as 1-2 choice. Right back with sharp works and pedigree for slop. SWEET GOODBYE steps up on off-track with 4-for-7 record in the slop. SUCCESSFUL SONG stalks speed-filled event.

10 - JANICELLAINE should like yielding turf shipping in from Great Britain after two good efforts in first two starts. So should Biancone's (20% winners) PONTENUOVO, who attracts Bravo. COCO ECOLO will take advantage of scratches if race exits lawn. HESSONITE has won two in a row scoring on both firm and soft turf. Steps up from NY-bred races, but the form is there to threaten top picks.

11 -TRICKY CHICKIE picked up where she left off last year romping by 7 3/4, but still may not be the betting favorite in here. Throw out last for bred-for-slop KEY APPEAL. BEARLY ENOUGH also picked up where she left off last year winning first start of year for Scott Volk (31% winners). Playable.

12 - LISTENTOTHEJUNKMAN, favored in 5 of past 6 races, only goes if race leaves lawn. Becomes automatic play at fair price. EZE DOES IT must escape also eligibles. Use OH SO DEBONAIRE, COURAGE TO BE and BOLD INTENTION in wide-open affair depending upon track conditions.

AT BELMONT

Post Time: 1:00

1 - FISHERMAN'S WHARF (BEST BET) is one to beat after winning grass dash like this in snappy 1:08.26. QUICK MONEY/FRAZIL entry becomes threat if race leaves turf course. So does CURE, who only races if they are not on the lawn. DR. W. will be around at the finish.

2 - SOCIALSAUL became easy winner when stretched out to mile race like this and followed that with a best-of-50 workout. SOUTHBEACHSANDY held off longshot threat BIGGER IS BETTER in latest.

3 - STELLALUCE drops despite beating better. In exacta in 9-of-13 at this distance. Beaten favorite SNEAKY GIRL likes to place second. Has done so in 17-of-59 lifetime races. SAY TOBA SANDY has habit of hitting the board. May be overbet on win end.

5 - PUT ME FIRST adds blinkers after being claimed. Stalks speed. SPIRIT OF ROSE goes back to Dominguez. IN HER HEY DAY has speed and is bred for slop, but is a chronic quitter. Hangs on one day soon on off-track.